Messi, 27, has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months, and in a recent interview with Marca, Fabregas, who played alongside the Argentine international during his three-year stint at the Nou Camp, claimed that he'd love to see the four-time Ballon d'Or winner join him at Stamford Bridge.

He said: "I wish! Why not? I'd love that to happen. I'd be all for it.

"As a Barca man, I believe that Messi deserves to retire there for all that he has given the club.

"He is a legend that has changed Barca's history. But, as his team-mate and friend, without doubt I'd love to have Leo by my side.

"This season Barca are Messi and 10 others. Messi has saved his team on many occasions."

Several publications have claimed that Rodgers is keen on signing the Spaniard, who left the Reds 2011 to join Chelsea, in the upcoming January transfer window.

But Carragher has urged the Reds boss not to make a move for the Spanish international, and claimed the Northern Irishman would be making a mistake by bringing Chelsea star back to Anfield.

He said: “I wouldn’t like to see [Fernando Torres return], if I’m being totally honest.

“If Liverpool bring a striker in you want a young, fresh, and energetic young fellow who is looking to make a name for himself.

“Fernando Torres has had an unbelievable career with the trophies that he has won but I think we saw the best of him at Anfield and that was quite a few years ago now.“It’s been unfortunate for the lad, the way his career has gone since then. He’s still picked up plenty of trophies with Chelsea and Spain.

“With that move to Milan you’re thinking a slower paced game would suit him a bit more now, because of the problems he’s had with injuries, but it looks straight away that AC Milan are keen to offload him.

"If Chelsea and Milan are thinking the same I don’t think anything would change too much at Liverpool.

“I wish him well but I think we should be looking for something else.”